Raoof, MustafaCorr, Stuart J.Zhu, CihuiCisneros, Brandon T.Kaluarachchi, Warna D.Phounsavath, SophiaWilson, Lon J.Curley, Steven A.2017-06-152017-06-152014Raoof, Mustafa, Corr, Stuart J., Zhu, Cihui, et al.. "Gold nanoparticles and radiofrequency in experimental models for hepatocellular carcinoma." <i>Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine,</i> 10, no. 6 (2014) Elsevier: 1121-1130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.03.004.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/94861Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal and chemo-refractory cancers, clearly, alternative treatment strategies are needed. We utilized 10 nm gold nanoparticles as a scaffold to synthesize nanoconjugates bearing a targeting antibody (cetuximab, C225) and gemcitabine. Loading efficiency of gemcitabine on the gold nanoconjugates was 30%. Targeted gold nanoconjugates in combination with RF were selectively cytotoxic to EGFR expressing Hep3B and SNU449 cells when compared to isotype particles with/without RF (P < 0.05). In animal experiments, targeted gold nanoconjugates halted the growth of subcutaneous Hep3B xenografts in combination with RF exposure (P < 0.05). These xenografts also demonstrated increased apoptosis, necrosis and decreased proliferation compared to controls. Normal tissues were unharmed. We have demonstrated that non-invasive RF-induced hyperthermia when combined with targeted delivery of gemcitabine is more effective and safe at dosages ~ 275-fold lower than the current clinically-delivered systemic dose of gemcitabine.engThis is an author's peer-reviewed final manuscript, as accepted by the publisher. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier.Journal articleGemcitabineHepatocellularHyperthermiaNanoparticleRadiofrequencyhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.03.004